Father Knows Best

Certainly this title is the one that is most fitting. The TV show which is from early TV years was well-loved, and had great messages, great family stories. It reminds me of now. It's been a wonderful summer which is now ending, but this week has been indeed one that we will look back upon as life changing. What a way to cap the summer...but first...  

JUNE meant anticipating travels at month's end while enjoying some downtime from teaching in what is now known as the "Bridge" here at BYUH, teaching 7 weeks in spring, off 5 weeks, then teaching another 7 weeks through mid-July and August to complete the semester. This was unquestionably one of the finest groups of students I could hope for, taking the REL 261 Family History class. Motivated, not without challenges, these 11/12 students made their way to climb their family trees with great skills, and love, for their family and for the unselfish benefit of others. Wonderful feelings about this group which will last for some time. Bill also taught the second set, and sat in on the class the first part of the bridge to get an idea of how he could proceed. He really enjoyed the financial planning class, and learned much about these topics himself. It appears he has affected lives for some time as well, and I'm glad he could do this.

 JULY --or actually beginning the last 2 days of June, we headed to the mainland for our Utah/Iowa vacation, during the 2+ week closure of the temple. No subs to obtain to cover our shifts made it even less stressful. We set our sights upon Utah to see Megan, but also to explore our retirement possibilities there--homes and/or property in the mountains of Utah County, potential employers there, meeting up with people we care for who now live in that area. Nice dinners and luncheons with these good people. We enjoyed time with Megan at Provo's July 4th Stadium of Fire with the Beachboys--amazing! and such gala fireworks. We will remember that for a LONG time! We even found a great property site in Highland. It faces the mountains which in that spot remind us of Logan. Ahhhhh......we both fell in love with that. Now, to come home, get the house on the market and sold, then ...we're out of here!!!! Petersons and others were happy for our choice. Bill's family was also supportive, looking forward to coming/even moving !!! to this Utah area, too! Our visit to Iowa was Maidrite-filled, at the CF site and Waverly DQ, too... and our annual "It's Christmas" shopping at Williamsburg outlet mall. Found lots of things :) More Ahhhhh....... even though we were so sorry to see the drought-stricken farmlands there. We celebrated Grandma Neal's 92nd birthday and stayed at the Shell Rock Neal Farmhouse, Carol's, for a few nights in her renovated and updated home. How lovely that was! Enjoyed time with Betty, too, and relaxed in the Midwestern style. We also visited brother Mike R. in Minneapolis the night before we flew home. A quick visit, that was pleasant, too. The ending part of July meant we visited over and over ONO YO, our favorite Kahuku treat trailer, and enjoyed once again our summer in Hawaii, since, after all, it may be about our last one here!  

AUGUST came around the corner SOO FAST! Classes, temple time, and a beautiful new grandson to prepare for. Evan Robert Hoakua Jensen arrived August 12, a handsome, beautiful, sweet and sleepy boy! 8 lb. 10 oz.--some hair, and good one for a brother in their cute Jensen family! Enjoying all of the grandchildren before their July 30 date to return to school--Matsomotos was a place we all congregated to celebrate a good summer gone by. Jeanette Simram from Pohnpei joined us for the month preceding BYUH beginning. She is a delight and has become a fun auntie for the grands to enjoy, too. About August 10, though, before the excitement of Evan arriving, we received an interesting phone call one morning from the secretary to Elder Richard Maynes, of the presidency of the Seventy of our church. She asked if Bill and I could arrange to have a speaker phone conversation with Elder Maynes on Friday, the 17th. We agreed, but of course, the questioning in our minds began.......

Oh my! WHAT would this be about? Would Bill be needed to help as an auditor? Yes, that must be it. But, in reflection, we remembered some leaders here who had wondered "When is Bill retiring?" Two of those were the current Laie Temple President and incoming Temple President. Maybe we were going to be asked to be new missionaries ???? but ....we are scheduled to teach this term! We'd need to be retired. So, no, that's not it . . . . . The morning of the phone call Elder Maynes inquired first that I tell him about our family...and our health. He then issued a calling to Bill from the First Presidency of the Church to become the second counselor to Pres. Kanekoa of the Laie Temple beginning November; I would be serving as temple matron. << P A U S E >> OH MY!!!!

Since Bill is not yet retired and did not have an exit date in mind from BYUH, we made him aware of that, and he offered us time to review this over the weekend. We gratefully appreciated that time to think this over and did that. This came as such a shock, such a surprise. We THOUGHT we were supposed to SELL the house, RETIRE from BYUH, MOVE to the mainland and buy a house outright, then TRAVEL, then serve a MISSION. Now if we accepted this the order was much changed! One thing I had always prayed for since last November was that the Lord would be very DIRECT in letting us know if we were on the wrong track, what would be best. Well, apparently, the Lord was good to us and DID indeed let us know what we were to do! ! !

 A visit to the temple made it very clear what our answer would be, but we did inquire about our capability financially to take this big, life-changing step. Apparently, the Lord thinks "we have enough." We are honored, humbled, and . . . so much more that words cannot describe. Truly the Lord answers prayers, He knows us, and knows our needs, and . . . knows what we need most. This I am keenly aware of.

So life moves on for us, in Hawaii for now, and we trust and know it will be for our good. May we prove to be all He needs us to be. And so, life goes on. Our girls were permitted to find out once we received our letter from the First Presidency; it arrived August 30. We are so grateful for their love and support--all 4 of them were happy for us. We can do this, not of our own strength, but with strength that rests in the Lord. Indeed, we trust that Father Knows Best.

M A Y 2012

MAY: A Favorite Always The past few months again have flown. . . I'm trying to cherish everyday here, and the sunshine, flowers, fragrances, early-morning coolness on walks, home fix-ups help me enjoy it all the more. March to early April brought General Conference [President Uchtdorf's STOP IT! talk], Easter Sunday, Graduation, [over 50 since 1984 for Bill!] Kaleb Valdez as house live-in for awhile, success for SIFE in Hollywood, CA, Devin's "Super Raider" assembly, and the end of the semester. On Bill's birthday, our FH class day, we enjoyed dining with Elia and Sona Gourgouris at Leilei's. They are a couple we enjoy and hope to know better as the years go on. His Greek background and her conversion are unique and so interesting. We wish them well in their move from Colorado to Florida. April brought a surprise travel experience for me. I had originally decided not to go to Utah in April for the internship experiences resulting from IIPP since companion tickets were unavailable. But the last Saturday in March Barbara Barrington-Jones called me with word that Bill would be surprised that night, April 21, in receiving a recognition at the black tie closing banquet, so. . . I made a decision that would possibly be worthwhile in the eternities. I'm glad I went to support Bill and witness his recognition--he received a beautiful crystal award for "strength of a leader" for students worldwide. How wonderful after all these years of preparing leaders and assisting them with experiences like they otherwise would never have known to be recognized at last for this. I'm so glad someone noticed. He doesn't toot his own horn at all, so this was indeed a moment of a lifetime for his professional contributions to students. It was truly out of our realm to see him wear a tux and for me to find a formal to wear and take to Utah, Thanksgiving Point was the setting, to get hair and nails done, and be a part of a scene which was an "adventure" for sure. Thanks to tall Erin, I was able to wear her royal blue satin "Lady in Waiting" long formal dress from MayDay 2003! Being over 60, I was amazed it fit as well as it did and we have photos to prove we looked pretty good for an older couple! I do like sporting fingernails now, though I do miss playing my harp as the nails mean too much clicking when I pluck the strings. I'm tempted to find gloves so I can enjoy both! Although Bill knew I had changed my plans, my Utah visit was a surprise to Megan. She was surprised, as was Christen, her vademacum, roommate. I was glad to catch up with her/them, and Megan has been enjoying her work at MarketStar in South Jordan since Mid-March. She is successful, too, and now drives that trek a few times a day. At teh moment she misses Christen, so now will need to adapt to her surroundings and new acquaintances...especially as she moves [by July, we hope] to South Jordan area. In Utah, we stayed at Barbara's home for the quick visit, enjoying the area, people, and the Mt. Timpanogas Temple, and other commercial digs, and I did connect happily with Petersons as their granddaughter was born to Matt and Betsy while we were there. Could we possibly enjoy Utah as a stop on our way to full retirement? Perhaps. . . so we will continue to search and one day find where it is we need to be next. Classes for Summer begin--I returned home to start class the next day--I'd prepared before I left Hawaii for the trip--and I am happy with this small yet diligent class of 13 students. It was also time for Mormon Helping Hands Saturday, and Lindsey, Bill, and I had "done our publicity thing" in getting the stake ready for participation here on the Windward beaches of Oahu. Bill's new calling--his return to Hawaii brought a visit with President H. Ross Workman at the temple. . . Bill was interviewed, called as a sealer, and set apart. He will have the awesome responsibility and privilege of sealing both living and the dead. Truly a new and unexpected opportunity in his church service. He still serves as Hauula 3rd's Sunday School readout preparer, though :) Family times are treasured times. . . My Trevor was a Super Raider, we enjoyed 3 boys in Kahuku Elem. MayDay at the Cannon Center, with Kyle dressed as Woody in Toy Story, Devin as a Taiko-simulating Chinese drummer, and Trevor as a Sunday Best dresser in Sister Act. Kylee and Mason and Bryson were there too, even Bryson, Brysie, was dressed as a Woody, thanks to Halloween costuming!. We miss Avery, but he is enjoying his life in Australia with his mum and dad, swimming, learning rugby skills, and growing and growing! Erin is another zumba queen, so glad she can stay in shape in their brrrrrr!! wintertime!. School will be out soon here, so maybe some beach days and picnics at Nanna's are in store ? ? ? ? Loved the special cards and lei and dinner for Nanna/Mother's Day. Aaron and dad made the dinner so special for us. It was a Sunday I was supposed to teach. . . but bishop sent the ward home to enjoy their day with moms. Nice touch. Worked for me!!!! We love getting our home ready for spring, too. The new chairs, rugs, and hose winder on the lanai do give it a more finished look, and the red flowers make it ready for our coming Memorial Day holiday. All we need to set out is the flag. Betty visited briefly while here on Oahu to see Alana, and we all enjoyed so much some favorite hang outs--Kahuku Grill and Ono Yo--our frozen yogurt haven! Now I'm on my own again [which I don't mind], as SIFE team left for Kansas City last night. Bill has had his head there already for some time. Only a time [year?] or two left to support this, I keep telling myself. But, then I wonder what he'll find next for his full-time hobby? ? ? ? ? ? Time will tell.

MARCH Madness, et cetera

It's been awhile since I've written my thoughts again. Hope this bit will at least make sense. These 3 months have flown. The "new" semester is almost done, I've taught 11 Sunday School lessons and learned so much already, have enjoyed serving in the usual spots, temple and FHC, and also as Director of Public Affairs for the stake. Church work keeps me, us very busy, although Bill is now released from presidency of the Married Student Stake so now spends Sunday going to church with me. I'm grateful for his assist on the SS readouts for class members.

It's hard to capture my life beyond the above, except for my dear family, of course. We catch up with Erin and the aussies on Sundays, usually. Kylee has a Tuesday nana-date, Devin and Trevor are Wednesdays, Kyle and Bryson are my buddies on Thursday, and I try to give Mason his hugs and listening conversation :) when I see Kylee or when he and mommy and daddy and Kylee stop in here. We learned this month that Jensens will have a little boy grandson to add to our wonderful pack of love!

Housing plans move forward at a snail's pace. For example, it will take two months to schedule a time for the Planning and Permitting crew to come do their inspection. So, will this all take more than 10 months to accomplish? Tune in December to see! I would be very surprised if it occurred before then. But, I must admit, I''m excited at the prospect of moving somewhere else. . . time for an edventure, for sure. At least to nest in a new place, I think. Our minds feel something else is out there for us, back on the mainland. It will be interesting to see what that thing is. Praying and hoping to be receptive to learning what it will be.

I have little to share at the moment, but know it's important to write. I feel somewhat like the writers of Omni at the moment. But the important thing is, they wrote!

Life is good, and happiness is my choice. Even if I am getting tired of the local scene, I will never tire of where my home is and our wonderful feelings being right here with ocean steps away and our green park outside the door, too. Surely to be missed someday, so it is easy to appreciate these as know the days are numbered until we depart. As it was in Logan, the hardest thing to leave will be my home. People who are close stay close, and are only a memory away. May it always be so.



Aloha.